Valley Forge 4-H Club competes in poster contest

 

The fifth grade class taught by Curry Deloach had the second 4-H club meeting of the school year on Oct. 22 at Valley Forge Elementary.

 

First, D.J. Oliver, the 4-H secretary, called the roll by asking members to answer with their Halloween costumes. Next, the club members said the Pledge to the American Flag, led by Patrick Williams.

 

Kalie Estep led everyone in the 4-H pledge. Julie Heaton had a thought for the day.

 

Song leader Aleisha Murrieta led club members in singing "Old McDonald." After that, Sarah Walser showed a 4-H project exhibit about Rice Crispys.

 

Tristen Stressman did a demonstration on how to make a paper airplane. Logan Sigman also did a demonstration on how to make a popper.

 

First place in the club's Poster Contest went to Tristen Stressman. Patrick Williams and Julie Heaton tied for second place. Kalie Estep took third place.

 

Land judging team places in state 4-H competition

 

The Carter County 4-H land judging team recently placed eighth in the State 4-H Land Judging contest held at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center in Jackson. The eighth place team members are: Chris Clawson, Josh Scalf, Tyler Street and Cayla Whitehead.

 

In addition to their eighth place state finish, two team members were also recognized for individual achievement. Josh Scalf was the fifth high individual in the contest and Cayla Whitehead was the seventh high individual.

 

The team coach is Larry Nave. These 4-H members are students at Hampton High School. They are actively involved in both 4-H and FFA activities.

 

The 4-H land judging team members learn the physical characteristics of soil such as texture, depth, drainage and slope. They also learn to identify soil characteristics and soil management practices. In addition, team members evaluate soil for suitability for home sites. They also develop valuable life skills in areas of ethical decision making, teamwork, achieving goals and communication.

 

For more information on 4-H judging teams or other 4-H activities, call the UT/Carter County Extension Office at 542-1818.

 

Lakeside bird walk set for Bristol park

 

Nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers will want to attend a birding event at Steele Creek Park in Bristol on Friday, Nov. 20.

 

Participants can meet Larry McDaniel at 9 a.m. at the Steele Creek Park Nature Center for a casual stroll around the park's lake to look for waterfowl and other migrants in the lake and on its shores.

 

In the past, the park's lake has attracted hard-to-find Northeast Tennessee visitors such as Cackling Goose and Greater White-fronted Goose.

 

For more information, call the Nature Center at 989-5616.

 

Elizabethton Book Club sets meeting

 

The Elizabethton Book Club will meet from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, at the home of Brenda Wardeska, 4 Bingham Court, Johnson City.

 

Co-host is Mary Ann Artrip and the program will be given by Elisa Wardeska. For directions or more information, call 928-1638.

 

Lauren Hollowell enjoys being

 

 

 

Assistant Editor

 

Being "the girl in the video" has given local resident Lauren Hollowell -- a former cheerleader for the Indianapolis Colts -- a chance to once again bask in the spotlight as the debut video for the band NewFound Road enjoys heavy rotation through a variety of media outlets.

 

The "Same Old Place" video also brought Hollowell and two close friends to some familiar places of their own.

 

She has been a good friend with Joe Booher and Jamey Booher since their days together as students at Happy Valley High School.

 

She was happy to listen to their music, never dreaming that she might share the limelight with the Booher brothers, who are two members of the four-man band NewFound Road.

 

She reunited this past summer with the Boohers when they were filming the band's first-ever video here in Northeast Tennessee.

 

The video required casting a young woman for one of the roles.

 

"The girl the band had picked out for the video couldn't make it down, due to a friend's illness," Jamey explained. "So Tim (Shelton) asked me to get a hold of a girl that I thought would look great for the part. Without hesitation I got my phone out and called Lauren."

 

Hollowell attended high school at Happy Valley with both Booher brothers back in 2002.

 

"I left her a voicemail hoping she would give me a call back," Jamey explained. "In about 15 minutes she called back thrilled to be a part of the video."

 

Hollowell laughed when she recounted the initial phone conversation with Jamey. "He called and asked me to be in the video," Hollowell said. "He said they needed a girl."

 

Interested, she called Shelton and spoke with him on the phone. "He took me on blind faith," she said.

 

Jamey added that Hollowell was amazing to work with. "She's absolutely beautiful, and the video shows that," he said. "She fit the part perfect. So I was very happy to have her in the band's video."

 

In addition, he said he considers Hollowell a wonderful person and a great friend.

 

Hollowell's parents are Robin and Charles Hollowell. "My mother is an RN in the nursery at Sycamore Shoals Hospital and my father has been a physical therapist at Sycamore Shoals since the early 1980s," she said.

 

Her grandparents are Dr. Fred Cruiser and Mary Cruiser, Salem, Va., and Frances Hollowell, Augusta, Ga. She is also the granddaughter of the late Lonnie Sturgill and the late Grover Hollowell.

 

She also has a brother, Jeremy Hollowell, who is an RN on WINGS Air Rescue. He also works with the Johnson City Medical Center Emergency Room.

 

"He's married to Autumn Hollowell, who is a nurse in the pediatric ER at JCMC," Hollowell said. "They have two children: Aubree, 3, and Brodie, 11 months."

 

The video star is also a proud mother. "The most important person in my life is my 4-year-old daughter, Gracie," she said.

 

Although her work with NewFound Road marks her first video appearance, she is no stranger to the spotlight. In 2006-2007, she was a cheerleader for the NFL football team the Indianapolis Colts.

 

"I lived in Indianapolis for a short period of time," Hollowell said.

 

When she heard of a cheerleading audition, she decided on a whim to give it a shot, never really expecting she would prove successful. "And I got it!" Hollowell said.

 

When she auditioned, she did so without cheerleading experience. "In high school, I wasn't into cheering," she said. "I played basketball and softball and ran cross country."

 

She was also a dancer, which gave her an advantage during her audition to be a Colts cheerleader. "I danced for Watt's Dance Studio in Elizabethton for years," Hollowell said.

 

Although she was a member of the Indianapolis Colts cheerleading squad for only a single season, she certainly picked the right time.

 

"I was lucky enough to cheer the year they won the Super Bowl," she recalled. "I even got a Super Bowl ring."

 

She got to cheer in some huge games that season, including the victory by the Colts over the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship on Jan. 21, 2007, as well as Super Bowl XLI on Feb. 4, 2007. In that game, Peyton Manning was named Most Valuable Player.

 

She looks back fondly on that time cheering for the Colts. "I would love to do it again," she said.

 

Now, perhaps she has a new career starring in videos, thanks to her friendship with the Boohers.

 

Hollowell described making the video as a great experience. "I am eager to see how the video is received," she said. "All the members of NewFound Road are so very talented."

 

Hollowell said she became a fan of the band when the Boohers joined the lineup. "I first listened to NewFound Road when I knew that Jamey and Joe were part of it," she said. "They are both really humble, and not the type to be conceited about how well they are doing."

 

She was at once impressed by the band's potential. "My immediate reaction upon hearing NewFound Road's music was 'Why are they not already big stars?'" Hollowell said. "They sounded every bit as good as what I would hear on the radio now. I love their music. The vocals and instrumentation are phenomenal."

 

CAC to hold holiday events

 

A Holiday Open House and Christmas Market to benefit the Children's Advocacy Center of Sullivan County will be held Saturday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

The event will be held at the Children's Advocacy Center of Sullivan County at 150 Blountville Bypass, Blountville.

 

Items featured in the market will include jewelry, unique arts, crafts and pottery, beauty and spa items, CAC cookbooks, home and Christmas decor and delicious delights to enjoy and purchase

 

Santa Claus will make an appearance from noon to 2 p.m. Child care will be provided while customers shop.

 

For more information call 279-1222.

 

Hunter 4-H Club holds first meeting

 

The fifth grade class taught by Karen Elliott at Hunter Elementary School held a 4-H Club meeting on Sept. 23.

 

Camille Jessee, 4-H Youth Development Agent, explained 4-H to the students and instructed them on how to conduct a meeting.

 

Charlie Dautel presented a report on what he did this summer.

 

Shauna Cable showed the class a pencil holder as part of the project exhibit.

 

Cara Peters did a demonstration on how to wash your hands while Noah Pippin demonstrated how to play the guitar.

 

The class also made plans for its next meeting, which will feature the poster contest.

 

Fleenor graduates

 

 

Julie Fleenor, assistant vice president, marketing director for Citizens Bank, graduated from The Southeastern School of Banking at the Owen Graduate School of Management on Vanderbilt University campus in Nashville. Fleenor was among 59 students to complete the requirements for graduation from the 2009 session in July.

 

Organized in 1939, the TSSB is one of the oldest and largest state association-sponsored banking schools in the country. Instruction focuses on critical banking functions, their interrelationships and determinants of profitability. TSSB's curriculum incorporates over 80 hours of classroom instruction and spans a two-year period with a one-week resident session each year.

 

In addition to traditional banking classes, TSSB students participate in a computer bank simulation game tailored to provide the student with experience in managing a bank and using Asset and Liability Management strategies to affect the bank's performance.

 

Fleenor is a summa cum laude graduate of Virginia Intermont College, where she received her bachelor of arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She and her husband, Joe, reside in Bluff City and are active members of Bunker Hill Christian Church.

 

Local brothers' musical path helps forge NewFound Road

 

 

Assistant Editor

 

A healthy dose of "Warrior Spirit" undoubtedly contributes to the successful formula for NewFound Road, one of the hottest bluegrass/acoustic bands in the recording industry.

 

Brothers Joe and Jamey Booher, both graduates of Happy Valley High School, make up half of the four-man band's membership. Joe plays mandolin and provides vocals while Jamey plays bass and also supplies vocals. The rest of the roster includes Tim Shelton, guitar, vocals; and Josh Miller, banjo, guitar and vocals.

 

It has been a good year for NewFound Road, or NFR, as many fans refer to the band.

 

In May, "Same Old Place," the latest recording from NFR, made its debut on Billboard's Bluegrass Sales Chart at No. 8.

 

In July, the band signed with booking agent, The Roots Agency, which began in 1995 as Drake & LaRoche, an aspiring boutique agency booking a handful of artists. Since then, The Roots Agency has evolved and now books over 30 artists representing a widely diverse and wildly talented roster, including such music icons as Ritchie Havens, Ronnie Spector, Arlo Guthrie, The Chieftains and Lesley Gore, as well as bluegrass and folk great Claire Lynch -- and now, NewFound Road.

 

During the summer, the band also took on the project of filming its first-ever video, which has already made its debut on The Bluegrass Blog and YouTube. The video to "Same Old Place" will also begin to air this week on GAC's Edge Of Country and CMT's Pure.

 

Just last month, platinum-selling country music artist Joe Diffie asked that NewFound Road back him up as his bluegrass band during IBMA's World Of Bluegrass in Nashville. The band played two shows with Diffie, the first at an official IBMA Showcase and a second Saturday show at Fan Fest.

 

Now, the band also has a video to help introduce its music to an even wider audience.

 

Jamey said that "Same Old Place" provided the perfect song for the band's debut video. "The band had talked about doing a video for a long time but always was too busy or had too much stuff going on," he said. "So, while we had a week off, we shot the video."

 

Thanks to Jamey, the band even asked Lauren Hollowell, a former cheerleader for the Indianapolis Colts, to star in the video. Hollowell is also a friend of the Booher brothers since their days together as students at Happy Valley High School.

 

Matt Zervos at Z Productionz shot the video. "He just had his 21st birthday in the past week," Jamey said. "Being as young as he is, the guy is talented with a camera."

 

Jamey said Zervos has a professional eye for video filming. "His lighting, equipment, everything was just on point," he added. "He has his stuff together and had brilliant ideas."

 

Zervos also had help from his own family. "They were a perfect fit for the band to do their video with," Jamey said. "We even used Matt's house for some of the video shots."

 

Hollowell noted that the Zervos family residence is located at Boone Lake near Grindstaff Castle, which is owned by Steve and Ashley Grindstaff.

 

"Matt and his family are some of the most wonderful people I've ever met," said Jamey. "It was a pleasure working with Matt and his family. I really hope he's a part of the next one!"

 

Hollowell said that Williams Angus Farm in Boones Creek provided horses for the video. The farm is owned by Dr. G. Alex Williams.

 

The video also features performance footage filmed at The Down Home in Johnson City.

 

Jamey loved the completed video. "Amazing! That's the first word that comes to mind," he said of the video. "Matt outdid himself with the whole thing. Everything was awesome. I have no complaints about it whatsoever."

 

His brother agreed with the assessment of the video. "Just like in studio sessions, a musician needs people easy to work with," Joe explained. "Matt and Jon Zervos made for a wonderful work atmosphere and too much laughing, specifically when Matt confused a bee sting for a snake bite."

 

The brothers were fans of NewFound Road even before joining the band.

 

"NFR has always been a family favorite, so Jamey and I have known Tim for a few years," explained Joe. "We would occasionally see Josh Miller in passing at festivals and such. Josh has always been one of my favorite musicians of all time."

 

Before joining NFR, the brothers had their own family band. "Joe and I were in a family band with our parents called The Boohers," Jamey explained. "While traveling as a family, we ran into, met and became great friends with some of our musical heroes."

 

For instance, NewFound Road has been one of their favorite bands since they heard the band's first album.

 

"We first met the band in the summer of 2005 in Bean Blossom, Ind.," Jamey recalled. "They were nice enough to hang out with us and went out to eat with us later that night. From then on we've all, including past members, been great friends."

 

Then, about two years ago, Joe got a call saying that the band's mandolin player (Rob Baker at the time) was coming off the road.

 

"Tim (Shelton) knew Joe would be a great asset to the band," Jamey said. "At the time, I traveled with a band called Grasstowne for about two years after leaving the family band."

 

Jamey was also destined to receive a call from Shelton.

 

"When I knew it was time for me to make a change, I got a phone call from Tim offering me a job with the band," Jamey said. "I didn't hesitate to say yes."

 

The transition into the band went smoothly. "The pieces fell all together at the right time for both of us," Jamey said. "After our banjo/guitar player (Junior Williams) decided to come off the road and spend more time with his family, Tim made one phone call and hired Josh Miller."

 

The addition of Miller completed the current lineup for NewFound Road.

 

"Miller is the best guy to travel with and to be in a band with," Jamey added. "This is the most fun I have ever had playing music in almost 10 years of playing."

 

The band has also hired David Hall as its sound tech. "Dave is a huge part of this band," Jamey said. "He's brilliant when it comes to being an audio engineer, and the funniest guy I've ever been around! It's an honor and pleasure to travel the world with this band."

 

Jamey said he also enjoys working with Shelton. "He is fantastic to work for and knows exactly what to do in this business," he said.

 

Joe, who is 24, is only 15 months older than his younger brother. "We both grew up as Happy Valley Warriors, K-12," he said.

 

Joe's musical beginnings surfaced earlier than his brother's. "Mandolin has been my life and passion ever since I was old enough to hold one," he explained. "Jamey waited on the bass until a number of years playing Warrior sports. I believe it was 2000 when he began to become an incredible bassist."

 

"My brother Joe has been playing music basically since he could stand up," Jamey agreed. "It took me a while longer -- until age 14 -- for me to even consider playing."

 

The brothers, who have no other siblings, said their mother is an excellent singer.

 

"I was always around music growing up," Jamey said. "It just took me a while to want to attempt it. I'm a sports fanatic so that's where my interests were."

 

Their parents are Gary Booher, Bristol, and Lora Musselwhite, Johnson City.

 

Their grandparents are Callie Booher, Bristol, and the late W.C. "Doug" Booher, and Peggy Campbell Buck, Johnson City, and the late Bill Campbell.

 

Lora Musselwhite and her mother, Peggy, own a beauty salon, House Of Perfection, in the Pinecrest community.

 

Joe is also married. "My beautiful wife, Rachel Millsaps Booher, is my biggest support and rock," he said. "She works as office administrator for the famed Kind Chiropractic in Johnson City."

 

Joe said his dad, Gary, and his grandmother, Callie Booher, both live in Bristol. "Dad works at the VA in Johnson City and my Grandma is too sweet to do anything else," Joe said. "All are heavy NFR fans."

 

It's not always easy to peg the band's music.

 

"We love good music," Joe explained. "Genre distinction has no meaning to us. Another thing in common is that we hate bad music! Applying this to the show, I do not believe bluegrass is a great title for us."

 

His brother agreed that the band's sound is constantly evolving. "The band has bluegrass roots, but over a period of the year, the band has been growing into its own style -- more acoustic than bluegrass," Jamey said. "Tim can sing anything, but the style the band is leaning towards is right up his ally. I love the music we are doing and the new stuff coming up is awesome!"

 

The brothers noted that Shelton, the band's owner, is from Franklin, Ohio, halfway between Cincinnati and Dayton.

 

"Josh, Joe, David and myself are all from East Tennessee," Jamey said. "Joe and I being from Johnson City, Josh Miller being from Greeneville and David Hall being in Nashville."

 

Hollowell is one of the band's biggest fans. "I would also like to encourage people to listen to their music, regardless of whether or not bluegrass and country are their genres of choice," she said. "Their talent is obvious and easy to appreciate even if you don't typically listen to that type of music."

 

She is also more than a fan -- she is a friend of the members of the band.

 

"They are great guys," she said. "Being around them is like being around family. They're funny, personable, down-to-earth and genuine. They are the type of guys that you hope succeed."

 

She said that it is always good to see people with an obvious God-given talent who remain extremely humble.

 

"I am excited about their journey," Hollowell said. "To say that I was able to be a part of something of theirs is a very proud thing for me. I'm honored to have worked with them and my life is richer because I can now call them friends."

 

Milligan College to host jazz concert

 

The widely acclaimed Milligan College Jazz Ensemble will perform its fall concert on Monday, Nov. 23, at 7:30 p.m. in Milligan's Seeger Memorial Chapel. The performance is free and open to the public.

 

The 21-piece ensemble will take the stage under the direction of Rick Simerly, associate professor of music at Milligan.

 

"This is one of our more difficult programs," Simerly said. "Although the arrangements are demanding, we're excited about the music and look forward to a successful concert."

 

The concert will feature a variety of songs from the libraries of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Count Basie, Bill Watrous, Chick Corea, Freddie Hubbard, Duke Ellington and the Tonight Show Band.

 

The band will perform an original composition, "Learning to Love," written especially for the ensemble by trumpet player, Sloan Hill. In addition, the concert will feature "Spain" by Chick Corea; "Just Friends" by Tommy Newsom; "Shiny Stockings," made famous by the Count Basie Band; and a driving Latin jazz feature, "Bistro Latino."

 

A highlight of the evening will be a Duke Ellington ballad selection, "In A Sentimental Mood," featuring tenor saxophonist Dick Davis. "Bernie's Tune," arranged by Lincoln Center saxophonist Victor Goines, and a rock rendition of Freddie Hubbard's "Mr. Clean" will round out the program.

 

The evening will feature outstanding ensemble soloists, including Mark Thie, piano; Dick Davis, Daniel Lockhart, Abby Carter and Ben Tiller, saxophone; Tylar Bullion, trombone; Sloan Hill, Steven Cooper, Brad Eastridge, Jason Bailey and Shane Ladd, trumpet; Tim Wasem, guitar; Glenn Diamond, bass; and Eddie Dalton, drums.

 

This is the ninth year the Milligan College Jazz Ensemble has been a part of the Milligan College curriculum. In addition to Milligan students, the ensemble also includes high school students, college students and adults from throughout the region.

 

For more information contact the Milligan College Music Department at 461-8939, or visit www.milligan.edu.

 

Train station

 

 

Brad McCroskey, General Manager of the Bristol Train Station, will be the speaker at the Nov. 19 meeting of the Sullivan County Historical and Genealogical Society at 7 p.m. in the second floor Commissioners Room of the historic County Courthouse in Blountville.

 

McCroskey will use some visual presentations with his message which will give those present a comprehensive history of the planning and building of the train station. It was completed in 1854, ready for the arrival of the first train from Lynchburg in 1856. McCroskey will tell of the recent major renovations of the station, and of the variety of uses of this historic and very attractive building. He will also tell of the impact of the station on present and future life and commerce of today's Twin City Bristol.

 

This meeting is open to all who desire to attend. For more information, call the Sullivan County Department of Archives and Tourism at 323-4660.